Military sends aircraft, trucks, crews to CO fires

Jun. 13, 2013 - 06:00AM
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Army helicopters drop water June 13 on the Black Forest wildfire behind houses on the Flying Horse Ranch in Colorado Springs, Colo. The residential area was evacuated Thursday. More than 350 homes have been destroyed by the fire since Tuesday. (Ed Andrieski / AP)

A soldier covers his face from the smoke June 13 as he guards a checkpoint at Hodgen Road and Highway 83 as the Black Forest fire continues to push north near Colorado Springs, Colo. (Michael Ciaglo / The Colorado Springs Gazette via)

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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. — The military is providing 10 aircraft, more than 40 firefighters and multiple fire trucks and bulldozers to help civilian agencies fight the Black Forest wildfire.

Officials said Thursday the equipment includes seven helicopters and two C-130 cargo planes equipped to drop water and fire-retardant slurry. Another helicopter is providing aerial coordination.

The military also dispatched more than seven fire trucks, 43 firefighters and four bulldozers.

The National Guard sent 120 Guard members and 24 vehicles to provide security at roadblocks.

The assistance comes from Fort Carson, the Air Force Academy, Peterson Air Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Buckley Air Force Base, the 302nd Airlift Wing and the Colorado National Guard.